Too Young

61

Riley 

Since West and I spoke. There has been plenty of things going through my head and I won't lie. I have no idea how to handle them all 
It's almost like I'm drowning myself in my own thoughts but this time there is no one to pull me out 

"Hey, you okay?" A voice said behind me as I sat in the library, I would remember that voice anywhere..

I turned slightly letting my breath hitch at the sight of James, he smiled at me before finishing his walk over taking a seat in front of me
"I would know that look from anywhere, you okay Riley?" He asked 
Little did he know that the one thing I wanted to talk to him about, I really couldn't 

I sighed looking down at my hands fiddling with the nail beds
"You know I never meant to hurt you" I whispered making James nod 

"Riley, there is nothing you could do to hurt me. I love you and I'm pretty sure that isn't going away anytime soon" He said chuckling making me look up at him with a soft smile on my face

It's been a long time since we had a moment like this, James and I developed this constant repeat of sequence when it came to our relationship
There is nothing wrong with that 
But..

I do miss the spontaneous laughter we used to share daily

--

"It's a long shot but are you on a free period?" James asked making me nod. He knew I would be considering our schedules are shockingly similar 
"Why?" I asked
"You by all means can say no, but do you want to get out of here? I think this is the last place either of us need to be" He said

I bite my lip lightly trying to hide a smile
I really wanted to go with him, I wanted that more then anything but what if it got back to Henry? What if it put Emily in danger

 "Come on Ri, for old times sake?" He asked, the moment he used my nickname. He had my answer and it was the one he was hoping for 

James and I were soon in his car heading to one of the first spots we adopted before finding the small clearing behind The Next Step
This place was where most of our dates too place, but we were slightly off from that general area of the park. This time we were sat on the top of the hill looking down on everything 

"So what's going on" James asked looking over at me as he hands lay flush in his lap.

Part of me wanted to spill it all, part of me wanted to tell him every single part of it but I knew I would be risking everything I already had

"Have you ever had an impossible choice?" I asked making James look at me with a raised brow
"like a no win no lose sort of situation?" I asked but James shook his head
"I can't say I have but something is telling me you have Ri? What's going on" James asked but I shook my head

"I would tell you if I could James but it's too risky" I warned him but that only confused him even more
"Riley, you know you can tell me anything" He muttered making me look at him

That was usually the case but this time around.. It wasn't 

"If I tell you, I could end up hurting someone else" I whispered
"Is this about Henry and Emily?" He asked making my eyes widen looking at him
The moment my eyes widened, James raised his brow before looking at me worried

"Did he do something to you Riley? I swear I'-" He started before I cut him off

"He made me chose between you and Emily.." I said making James' eyes widen